To my mind the correct definition is that (thanks to Jack Walker) we are a big club competing in the most attractive League in the world situated in a small town.

Yes but the town and surrounding areas isn't given enough credit for its support of the club. Jack Walker invested in Rovers because he knew it was a hugely important part of the town. To pay back the place he grew up in he invested in the club as he knew that would make the whole town and its surrounding areas happy, if he'd been born in Manchester or Birmingham he'd probably have built a museum or library or something. As wonderful as Jack Walker was for Rovers he wasn't the first benefactor (nowhere near the first in fact) the club has had. There is something about the place that has always worshipped the club. As he was Blackburn born and bred he knew it was the club that the townspeople cared for most. As for bought the title - Jack gave the club a big helping hand with money but so what? It's only a big deal to those jealous of the success with how we spent it.

The declining season ticket sales are worrying but nobody seems to know the exact reasons and it could only be a temporary decline. Even with that decline we get better support from the surrounding area than nearly anyother club. So don't let anyone tell you Blackburn isn't a football town just because of a bit of a slump over a couple of years. Blackburn is still THE football town.

Rovers fans do themselves down too often. When I said we were "punching above our weight", I meant that we are doing so compared to Man Utd/Liverpool/Arsenal. The likes of Southampton, Birmingham or Charlton need to start winning some cups and leagues before we think of them as "bigger" than us. Those clubs may be able to point to a few empty seats at Ewood to show how they are a bigger club than us. We can point to our trophy cabinet to show what a real success of a club has to show for itself.

Great post FLB.

I'll take the prem and the Worthy cup wins to my grave, dunno what the fans of the other teams will take but it's a pretty sound bet it wont compare.

Well it doesnt matter if he has a bad game or two,but I think that is a good wake up call,cause many of us are expecting him or whoever to come in at left wing and set the place on fire,we have to be realistic,MGP is young,and consistency is something that will come by age.

Could the same not be said for Jonny Douglas, Steven Reid and even Jemal Johnson.

Sometimes it's better the devil you know...

On the subject of Pedersen, this proposed deal gets more alarming as time goes by. His club holding out for more money and no-one actually witnessing him having a good game. Then there's the supposed interest from Villa and Man U that has suddenly disappeared.

From the original cries of 'sign him' and 'just buy him' bets are being hedged and the talk is now, 'give him time, he'll take time to adjust to the PL'.

Keep the powder dry Souey, he's patently not good enough.

There is the small fact that Douglas and Reid aren't left wingers though?

I don't understand how writing a few lines in the LET gives you this in depth knowledge on Pedersen an the fact he'll be a flop?!

Your arguement regarding united and villa is pretty lightweight too. Think about it logically.

United - They've got Giggs to play there and he's still one of the best left wingers in the prem. Alan Smith can also do a good job there. I'm guessing they also have a few decent youth team lads who could do a job too. Even the likes of United have a transfer budget and they clearly have bigger priorities than a left winger. Left face it they could afford to let him play for us for a season and snatch him off us if he does well - sad but true......

Villa - I suspect their interest was mainly due to the Gareth Barry contract situation, however the fact that that seems to have been cleared up means they don't need Pedersen right now either. Then there's the fact they have Whittingham to play there too. Villa have made it quite clear they're working with a tight budget.....

Very good.

Firstly, I have no in depth knowledge but I go off the fact that Norwegian attacking players very rarely are anything more than functional. If you can name one other than Solskjaer who isn't then I'll doff my cap in your direction.

Your argument about United and the left wing situation is flawed too. With Keane, Scholes and Butt to play central midfield (arguably the best trio in the prem) why did they then go out and buy Kleberson and Djemba Djemba for big bucks? I understand that left wing is probably not a huge concern but then again I wouldn't have central midfield as being so for them either.

I'll be leaving the fray on this particular topic and I'll refrain from posting I told you so if and when he fails to deliver because it would appear he will be signing.

Conversely if he surprises me and turns out to be the new wing sensation of the prem I will gladly admit I was wrong...and quite possibly show my backside in the Ewood club too.

Carews a decent striker is he not?

Keane (by his own admission cannot play a full season in the premiership anymore and has accepted he won't. Kleberson was highly rated and has been a big let down to be fair. Djemba Djemba I'm not entirely sure about but didn't it bag an agent a nice little fee? Make of that what you will. Butt is surplus to requirements.....

Fair enough, I just can't see how you can write a player off because he's norweigan and you haven't seen him play!

Carew? Don't rate him really high but I don't suppose you play for Valencia and score so many goals if you're a numpty.

Cap doffed ever so slightly!!

Well it doesnt matter if he has a bad game or two,but I think that is a good wake up call,cause many of us are expecting him or whoever to come in at left wing and set the place on fire,we have to be realistic,MGP is young,and consistency is something that will come by age.

Could the same not be said for Jonny Douglas, Steven Reid and even Jemal Johnson.

Sometimes it's better the devil you know...

On the subject of Pedersen, this proposed deal gets more alarming as time goes by. His club holding out for more money and no-one actually witnessing him having a good game. Then there's the supposed interest from Villa and Man U that has suddenly disappeared.

From the original cries of 'sign him' and 'just buy him' bets are being hedged and the talk is now, 'give him time, he'll take time to adjust to the PL'.

Keep the powder dry Souey, he's patently not good enough.

There is the small fact that Douglas and Reid aren't left wingers though?

I don't understand how writing a few lines in the LET gives you this in depth knowledge on Pedersen an the fact he'll be a flop?!

Your arguement regarding united and villa is pretty lightweight too. Think about it logically.

United - They've got Giggs to play there and he's still one of the best left wingers in the prem. Alan Smith can also do a good job there. I'm guessing they also have a few decent youth team lads who could do a job too. Even the likes of United have a transfer budget and they clearly have bigger priorities than a left winger. Left face it they could afford to let him play for us for a season and snatch him off us if he does well - sad but true......

Villa - I suspect their interest was mainly due to the Gareth Barry contract situation, however the fact that that seems to have been cleared up means they don't need Pedersen right now either. Then there's the fact they have Whittingham to play there too. Villa have made it quite clear they're working with a tight budget.....

Very good.

Firstly, I have no in depth knowledge but I go off the fact that Norwegian attacking players very rarely are anything more than functional. If you can name one other than Solskjaer who isn't then I'll doff my cap in your direction.

Your argument about United and the left wing situation is flawed too. With Keane, Scholes and Butt to play central midfield (arguably the best trio in the prem) why did they then go out and buy Kleberson and Djemba Djemba for big bucks? I understand that left wing is probably not a huge concern but then again I wouldn't have central midfield as being so for them either.

I'll be leaving the fray on this particular topic and I'll refrain from posting I told you so if and when he fails to deliver because it would appear he will be signing.

Conversely if he surprises me and turns out to be the new wing sensation of the prem I will gladly admit I was wrong...and quite possibly show my backside in the Ewood club too.

Well it doesnt matter if he has a bad game or two,but I think that is a good wake up call,cause many of us are expecting him or whoever to come in at left wing and set the place on fire,we have to be realistic,MGP is young,and consistency is something that will come by age.

Could the same not be said for Jonny Douglas, Steven Reid and even Jemal Johnson.

Sometimes it's better the devil you know...

On the subject of Pedersen, this proposed deal gets more alarming as time goes by. His club holding out for more money and no-one actually witnessing him having a good game. Then there's the supposed interest from Villa and Man U that has suddenly disappeared.

From the original cries of 'sign him' and 'just buy him' bets are being hedged and the talk is now, 'give him time, he'll take time to adjust to the PL'.

Keep the powder dry Souey, he's patently not good enough.

Gamst being a United-supporter won't change things I think, and certainly not in a negative direction - how long does he have to wait to play against them in Tromsø ??

Why do you think he wants to play against Man U ?

Tromsø did a correct decision to reject the bid now.

He will be sold later, to another club or to a higher bid.

This is a great day for us Tromsø supporters. The management has gotten our respect with this decision. it tells us that they have ambitions with this team and that they are willing to listen to us and all the others that have had some views about this issue.

- TROMSØ - until I die

It'll be a great day for Blackburn Rovers supporters if we pull the plug on this supposed deal.

Look elsewhere Souey...please.

I must admit I am very VERY afraid MGP wont live up to our expectations.

Given a season to adjust, he might become great, but i am afraid his first PL season wont be an award winner. We have a left side problem who need an answer next season, and I dont think MGP will be a revelation from day 1.

Yes he is a good prospect, but £2,5 m for an unproven norweagian sounds a bit harsh to me. Especially when you consider the only consistant form he has had was half last season and a quarter of this one.

Dont get me wrong, I would love to see MGP join our squad, but I feel the price is too high, and I think some of my fellow norweagians may exagurate the skills and wonders of MGP.

Hallelujah!!!

Your thoughts totally mirror mine.

Amen to that brother.

In his first press conference after being given the Chelsea job Jose Mourinho said

"we've got the players and now we've got a good manager...sorry for the arrogance but I am a bit special..."

Quality stuff and certain to get right under Ferguson and Wenger's skin before a ball has been kicked.

Could be a return to the good old days of the Dalglish and Ferguson jousts.

Moved here.

Whilst this signing hardly sets my pulse racing I can see the merits in it.

He puts in the work and keeps defenders on their toes and he's not a bad finisher either. He's cost next to nothing and unlike previous signings, we know what we're getting - 100% commitment.

Let's face it, if we'd had 11 players with the same application as Dickov last season there'd have been no flirtation with relegation.

I admit he's not a Shearer, Sutton or even Jansen but those days are long gone, I suppose it's something we'll have to get used to.

Dowie could potentially be a good Rovers boss. (Taken from Jim Mk2 May 2004 BRFCS.com Message Board)

Jim, the credit is all yours.

Dunno if anyone's mentioned this earlier (75 pages - too much to read) but should Souness bomb next season it may be worth a punt on Ian Dowie.

He's worked an absolute miracle at Palace and his work at Oldham was exemplary too. There's also the fact that his family are still living in Bolton while he stays in London during the week so a return North would certainly appeal.

I know it's hypothtical at the moment but should things continue in the same vein as last season Dowie would be a great replacement IMO.

Does anyone have any stats on this Pederson Guy?

Here's a good stat for you according to one of today's papers.

Released after a trial at Middlesbrough last year.

Draw your own conclusions, I know what mine are.

And a certain Mr. Cantona was "released" after a trial at Sheffield Wednesday. He signed for Leeds a few days later.

Draw your own conclusions.

(No, I'm not saying MGP is the new Cantona. I'm just saying that there may be many reasons why someone doesn't get signed by a club)

Not strictly true. Mr. Cantona turned down the offer of a further trial because he believed (and subsequently proved) he shouldn't need a further trial to prove how good he was.

Does anyone have any stats on this Pederson Guy?

Here's a good stat for you according to one of today's papers.

Released after a trial at Middlesbrough last year.

Draw your own conclusions, I know what mine are.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, he won't cut it at PL level.

He was poor in an extremely poor Norwegian side against a Welsh B team.

Some MB members are in serious danger of getting their hopes up to such an extent that when Pedersen brings them crashing down it will register on the Richter scale.

Tromso's star player? Might as well be captain of Moorland's 5th year team.

Good to meet you, mainly rev, Tom P, T4E and Paul.

Was a tad p***ed even at the early stage of 6pm so sorry if I seemed somewhat incoherent. I blame those Kronenbourgs before the game.

See you all at some stage next season.

Do you have a season ticket Jason?

Yes.

What's the deal with Blues on Saturday?

Can I just walk in or do I have to pay on the door before or after the game?

Is it easy for a single 17 year-old guy to pull in Blackburn?

If you go down to the Wheatsheaf I'm sure you'll be made most welcome..

Blue Phil,

It's the Stage Door (or should that be Back Door) now.

Not that I go there or have even entertained going there or anything...

Absolutely no reason for this post other than to re-raise it cos I started it.

What about it though Geese and Swans ?

Shouldn't that be:

"Gallagher and Stead are the GAS GAS GAS!"?

That really really deserves to catch on Bryan.

Pure Genius.

I think I'll go with my Mick Jagger mask on.

Jumpin' Jon Stead is a gas gas gas...

Regardless of the topic I must say that I have found that the attitude of rover6, despite him at times being personally insulted, to be extremely refrershing. Despite much abuse he has not resorted to answering back.

Not that I agree with anything he says, just that I respect how he puts across his opinion without resorting to namecalling which many on here (including probably myself) have at times been guilty of...

Must agree. And unlike other members of the Souness out brigade he's not started crowing 'I told you so'.

Fair play to him and long may he have his say, it's as valid as anyone's.

Keane?

And not the clown in the red shirt with the Dumb and Dumber hairstyle either.

Back to the original topic - Big Ron had it right when he stated it's all psychological. Geese are mental, Swans are not. Ok sure Swans have the physical potential to be the dominant birds in this fighting class, but when it comes down to it, it's all about the will to win. Geese want to win - not just for the glory, but because it makes them feel hard. That makes this a non-contest in my opinion - unless the Swan has gone intensive psychological training to get a bit mental itself, then it's a close run thing.

 

Now that is a quality post and you've hit the nail on the head.

Driving back from ASDA today I spotted a solitary swan (no mates you see) on the Leeds Liverpool canal. There it was trying to look all serene and cool while aggravating a couple of ducks just going about their business.

This is a recurring theme and gives an insight into the mindset of the swan. Cowardly, aloof and pretentious. I mean if it wants to prove how superior it is why does it pick on the humble duck. You'll never catch one taking the biggest of an unruly gaggle on.

No bottle swans, in fact I'm sure they're related to jellyfish.

As for geese...well you just said it.

***FISH UPDATE***

The big untalented buffoon is playing Darwen Library Theatre tomorrow and sorry people it's sold out.

There's an interview with him in the Inside Out section of tonight's LET complete with picture.

He's bald as a coot now...but obviously not as hard as one as we all know of the legendary fighting instincts of this fine bird.

I can't believe Fish is playing Darwen Library! It'll end in tears. What will they want with a fat alcoholic Scotsman? I can hear it now "Excuse me, I appreciate that Lavender is indeed blue, but can you keep it down a bit, I'm trying to read"

Yes Bob, but to get over this potential problem he is going there Incommunicado.